cloisters. The boys retorted. The worst they gave Mr. Ketch was
"chaff;" but his temper could bear anything better than that,
especially if it was administered by the senior boy.

"Dear me, who's this?" began Gaunt, in a tone of ultra politeness.
"Boys, do you see this gentleman who condescends to accost us? I really
believe it is Sir John Ketch. What's that in his hand?--a piece of
rope? Surely, Mr. Ketch, you have not been turning off that unfortunate
prisoner who was condemned yesterday? Rather hasty work, sir; was it
not?"

Mr. Ketch foamed. "I tell you what it is, sir. You be the senior boy,
and, instead of restraining these wicked young reptiles, you edges 'em
on! Take care, young gent, as I don't complain of you to the dean.
Seniors have been hoisted afore now."

"Have they, really? Well, you ought to know, Mr. Calcraft. There's the
dean, just gone out of the cloisters; if you make haste, Calcraft,
you'll catch him up. Put your best foot foremost, and ask him if he
won't report Mr. Gaunt for punishment."

The porter could have danced with rage; and his whip was smacking
ominously. He did not dare advance it too near the circle when the
senior boy was present, or indeed, when any of the elder boys were.

"How's your lumbago, Mr. Ketch?" demanded Stephen Bywater. "I'd advise
you to get rid of that, before the next time you go on duty; it might
be in your way, you know. Never was such a thing heard of, as for the
chief toppler-off of the three kingdoms to be disabled in his limbs!
What _would_ you do? I'm afraid you'd be obliged to resign your post,